Can you identify exactly what was modified? (Solving this question requires critical thinking. And searching for this picture online is cheating.)

Hint #1

Use Error Level Analysis.

Hint #2

Check the metadata for the application's name and version.

Hint #3

With this picture, it is relatively easy to identify "where" the edit occurred. But determining "what" was edited requires critical thinking. So here's a hint: Something was digitally removed. What is missing in this picture?

Answer #1

ELA identifies a large patch to the left of the test pilot that is inconsistent with the rest of the picture. That is where the edit occurred.

Answer #2

The metadata says the picture was processed by Adobe Photoshop CS2 for Windows.

With ELA and metadata, determining "where" the modification was made and "how" it was modified can be relatively easy. However, determining "what" was altered and "why" are usually much more difficult problems. They are harder to answer because they require critical thinking and not just looking at test results.